Meet our Teachers
Great teachers are more important than great facilities. Please click on the photos below for a brief introduction from each teacher.
Brendan Corr
Principal
Originally a Secondary Science Teacher, Brendan is a graduate of UTS, Deakin and Regent College, Canada. While Deputy Principal at Pacific Hills for 12 years, Brendan also led the NSW Christian Schools Australia registration system. Brendan’s faith is grounded in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a deep knowledge of God’s Word. Married for over 30 years, Brendan and Kim have 4 adult children. On the weekends, Brendan enjoys cycling (but he enjoys coffee with his mates afterwards slightly more).
Luke Reifler
Head of Distance Education
Luke has been a Primary School teacher in public and private schools for over 20 years and was Kids Pastor at his church for several years. He has three children with Roslyna, who he met on a mission trip. Luke has a Bachelor of Education (Primary), Master of Christian Studies (Pastoral Leadership) building on a unique childhood being raised at his family’s ministry centre and completed Primary school via distance education. He enjoys photography and is passionate about faith, identity and community.
Jacqueline Donaldson
DE Secondary Teacher
Jacqueline Donaldson is new in 2022 to the school but has been teaching since 1998. She teaches mainly HSIE and English, and particularly enjoys Studies of Religion and Biblical Studies. Jacqueline has been a Christian since 1972 and has been walking with the Lord ever since. She lives with her son, daughter-in-law and grandson, and attends a Filipino church, where she feels very loved and appreciated and she has the privilege of preaching once a month. In her spare time, Jacqueline loves reading and being involved with the local Historical Society. Her photo is from a trip to Israel.
Olivia Gonzales
Secondary Teacher & Course Developer
Liv hails from a small town in the South Island of New Zealand surrounded by lots of beaches, lakes, mountains and forests. She trained as a concert pianist at the University of Otago before becoming a teacher, and now she loves playing as a part of a worship team and writing music. Liv has been at ACC since the beginning of 2020, and loves the culture of the school and the opportunity to bring the best out of others. She loves travelling and coffee - you can find her exploring various cafes and scenic spots in and around the city.
Rachel Law
Distance Education - 7-9 Academic Coordinator, Secondary Team Leader
Rachel grew up in Auckland as the oldest of three girls. She moved to Australia in 2001 and has loved getting to know the Sydney-siders she considers family through church, university and work. Rachel is a passionate teacher who genuinely loves children. She completed a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education at the University of New South Wales and appreciates time with her husband. On the weekends, you’ll find her reading God’s word and playing with her baby.
Beatrice Antonino
Secondary Teacher
Beatrice completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Movement Studies and Education at the University of Queensland. Beatrice has experience teaching not only at the secondary level, but also at the tertiary level where she was inspired by mature age learners who proved that you are never too old to learn. She really enjoys finding different ways to help students succeed, no matter what their age. Beatrice also enjoys sports, going on coastal walks with her family and taking in beach sunsets.
Ben Kwok
Chaplain
Sydney-born and educated in the US, Ben has a Bachelor’s degree in Bible and a Master of Divinity, and has served in local churches for over 20 years. Ben is lead pastor at Rouse Hill Bible Church in northwest Sydney. With ten children (and an excellent wife), life is noisy but joyful. Other interests include sports, music, Apple products and home improvements. Ben serves in Ministry and Biblical Studies at school, and enjoys seeing students grow in personally knowing God.
Emily Peisley
Primary Teacher
Emily has a Bachelor of Theology and Masters of Primary teaching. She has been teaching at ACC since 2017 where she loves kids and sharing the gospel with them. The classroom is full of so many personalities, talents and imaginations, and as the teacher she loves the opportunity to be able to help and guide students to strive to be who God has created them to be. In her spare time, she like to play team sports, go on adventures and do some baking.
Emma Ruffin
Learning Support Teacher
Emma has completed a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary teaching (English and French) and went on to complete a Masters degree of Special Education. Emma enjoys making the curriculum accessible to all students and giving them opportunities to be challenged in a way that enriches their lives and allows them to see the world through God's lens. Emma is her happiest self when spending time with family and four legged friends, particularly horse riding and walking her dog anywhere in nature that has been untouched by mankind.
Esther Ganta
Secondary Teacher
Esther has her Master’s in Engineering from United States and teaching accreditations from state of Texas in Mathematics. Esther is blessed with three children and a loving husband. Interests include travelling, collecting currencies, souvenir’s, cooking, spending time with my children and being involved in their activities. Some of things on her bucket list involve riding a hot air balloon, travelling across great barrier reef, experiencing a night at a bio luminous beach.
Kaylie Neave
Secondary Teacher
Kaylie began her teaching career teaching private music tuition. She completed a Bachelor of Music and a Masters of Education (Secondary) so that she could bring her passion for music education to High School students. In her time outside of school Kaylie enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, playing piano and singing in church. When she gets the chance you can often find her deep beneath the water scuba diving.
Matthew Thomson
Secondary Teacher
Matthew has a Bachelor of Education and has throughly enjoys enjoys working at ACC. He is married to a beautiful wife with two young children that keep him busy. In his spare time he enjoys watching sport and going out for runs. He loves that he gets to help students grow and develop into the people God wants them to be through curriculum and pastoral care. He currently attends Blacktown Anglican Church where he serves in Children's Ministry and plays drums in the church band.
Shelley Tan
Primary Teacher
Shelley began as an Early Childhood Teacher where she fell in love with teaching young children. She has travelled to over twenty destinations around the world with a fond interest in culture, history and language. Shelley is a passionate and enthusiastic teacher who aims to create a classroom environment that encourages all learners to ‘have a go’ and challenge themselves. In her spare time, Shelley enjoys gardening, baking and spending time in nature.
Tom Ng
Secondary Teacher
Tom graduated from the University of Sydney in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts and Education. He has worked in schools in Broken Hill and has taught English and HSIE. Tom enjoys drawing, analysing films and collecting armour to use in medieval-based combat. He attends West Sydney Chinese Christian Church in Strathfield where he is involved in various ministries including training others to connect the gospel to cultural texts. He also writes children’s picture books.
William Tay
Secondary DE teacher
Will has been teaching for over a decade as a secondary teacher in various roles, most recently as a Distance Education teacher. He has come from a corporate background working as a software analyst and has a Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering. Will loves being part of such a vibrant, growing, christian community. Outside of school, Will enjoys exploring The Australian landscape with his growing family (3 boys under 4 y.o, 1 on the way!)